Treatment:

The drugs heparin and warfarin are used to treat deep venous thrombosis. Patients who have this disorder can take warfarin to prevent another clot.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is usually good with treatment, but a patient can have symptoms again.

Complications:

• Pulmonary embolism
• Recurrent clots in the veins
• More than one pregnancy loss
• Childhood stroke

In rare cases, using warfarin to thin the blood and prevent clots can cause brief increased clotting and severe skin wounds. Patients are at risk if they are not treated with the blood-thinning drug, heparin before taking warfarin.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of clotting in a vein (such as swelling and redness of the leg).